Born in Fairplay, just outside of Placerville, to the late Jacob and Lillian (Yoos) Harris, Jake, as he affectionately became known, moved to the northeastern California lumber community of Quincy as a baby. He was raised and educated in Quincy, attending Quincy Elementary School and graduating as a member of Quincy High School's class of 1941.
Following graduation, Jake went to work as a temporary worker for the California Department of Highways (now Caltrans) and with Southern Pacific Railroad. Shortly following the outbreak of World War II, Jake entered the military as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with the 4th Marine Division stationed in Hawaii. Corporal Harris was honorably discharged in November 1945.
Jake returned to Quincy where, for a short period of time, he again worked for the railroad before beginning what became a 39-year career with the state of California, eventually retiring as a highway supervisor with Caltrans. His career took him throughout northeastern California and to the southern California desert before he settled in the Butte County community of Pulga, where he resided for 23 years. Upon his retirement, he moved a short distance down the hill to the community of Yankee Hill where he and his wife resided for the past 25 years.
Jake was introduced to a pretty sister of his brother- and sister-in-law: Geneva Moore. She became his best friend and love of his life, and on Nov. 11, 1951, they were married in Quincy. To this union a daughter and three sons were born.
Jake not only loved to work outdoors but also enjoyed the pleasures of the outdoor life: fishing, hunting and camping. He was a member of Chico's VFW Post 1555 and a former member of the Yankee Hill Grange. He served his fellow residents of the area as a member of the Golden Feather Union School District's school board from 1968 – 1981, as well as serving as a member of the Golden Feather Volunteer Fire Company's board of directors. An avid ice skater, he also enjoyed snow skiing.
In passing, Jake leaves his loving wife of over 59 years, Geneva, of Yankee Hill; daughter Arleen Glover and her husband Walter, of Tule Lake; sons Tom Harris and wife Toni, of Susanville, John Harris and his wife Wendy, of Santa Clara, and Dale Harris, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a brother, Lafe Harris, of Orangevale; the pride of his later life, his grandchildren Matthew, Julie, Cassi, Nicole, Jake, Emma and Aiden; and his great-grandchildren Esther, Hannah and Mel.
He joins his sister Virginia Bresciani in their eternal home.
Born in Fairplay, just outside of Placerville, to the late Jacob and Lillian (Yoos) Harris, Jake, as he affectionately became known, moved to the northeastern California lumber community of Quincy as a baby. He was raised and educated in Quincy, attending Quincy Elementary School and graduating as a member of Quincy High School's class of 1941.
Following graduation, Jake went to work as a temporary worker for the California Department of Highways (now Caltrans) and with Southern Pacific Railroad. Shortly following the outbreak of World War II, Jake entered the military as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, serving with the 4th Marine Division stationed in Hawaii. Corporal Harris was honorably discharged in November 1945.
Jake returned to Quincy where, for a short period of time, he again worked for the railroad before beginning what became a 39-year career with the state of California, eventually retiring as a highway supervisor with Caltrans. His career took him throughout northeastern California and to the southern California desert before he settled in the Butte County community of Pulga, where he resided for 23 years. Upon his retirement, he moved a short distance down the hill to the community of Yankee Hill where he and his wife resided for the past 25 years.
Jake was introduced to a pretty sister of his brother- and sister-in-law: Geneva Moore. She became his best friend and love of his life, and on Nov. 11, 1951, they were married in Quincy. To this union a daughter and three sons were born.
Jake not only loved to work outdoors but also enjoyed the pleasures of the outdoor life: fishing, hunting and camping. He was a member of Chico's VFW Post 1555 and a former member of the Yankee Hill Grange. He served his fellow residents of the area as a member of the Golden Feather Union School District's school board from 1968 – 1981, as well as serving as a member of the Golden Feather Volunteer Fire Company's board of directors. An avid ice skater, he also enjoyed snow skiing.
In passing, Jake leaves his loving wife of over 59 years, Geneva, of Yankee Hill; daughter Arleen Glover and her husband Walter, of Tule Lake; sons Tom Harris and wife Toni, of Susanville, John Harris and his wife Wendy, of Santa Clara, and Dale Harris, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; a brother, Lafe Harris, of Orangevale; the pride of his later life, his grandchildren Matthew, Julie, Cassi, Nicole, Jake, Emma and Aiden; and his great-grandchildren Esther, Hannah and Mel.
He joins his sister Virginia Bresciani in their eternal home.
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